Duke It Out: Supergirls

June 19, 2009     Posted in Reality

wonder woman


By Lauren H

[It's pretty obvious that the average CollegeCandy reader has some very strong opinions. Opinions that she likes to share with everyone on the site.  We love a strong woman, so we thought we'd give her a real forum to discuss her thoughts, feelings, and perspectives. Every Friday I'll be featuring a hot topic (like the romper!) and leaving it up to you, the readers, to duke it out. So, read it and get your debate on in the comments section below!]

We all grew up wanting to be supergirls – maybe not with all of the superpowers – but to be strong, smart, independent chicks who could handle themselves and still wear rockin’ heels. But the world of the superhero has always been a boys club (Wonder Woman famously started out as the Justice League’s secretary). Next week one of the most famous comics in history will have a female hero for the first time; and not just your run-of-the-mill, butt-kicking woman; but a hot, rich, Jewish, lesbian, butt-kicking woman.

But is this kind of character a blow for women’s rights, or are comics really just holding back the female image?

One of the concerns over women in comics has always been that they are hyper-sexualized, which some say gives many of the people (especially men) who read them, the wrong idea about women’s bodies and their functions in the world. And it’s definitely true that the world of superheros seems to be populated by a race of  supermodels with Barbie-doll proportions and a propensity for leather. Catwoman is practically the poster girl for fetish garb, and even the great Wonder Woman can’t get rid of the freaking bustier (no matter how hard her writers try)! I mean, have you ever seen Powergirl? Apparently her “powers” are housed in her cleavage.

Ok, so from the looks of girls in comic books, guys are definitely getting the wrong idea about women and their bodies. But, on the other hand, it’s hardly just the ladies who get oversexualized in comics; any real guy with Superman’s physique would probably crumple under the weight of his own torso, so it’s hard to say it’s a one-sided problem.

And while the outfits may leave something to be desired in the coverage department, you can’t say that the women of superhero-land aren’t powerful. Supergirl could take on her Kryptonian cousin any day of the week and the girls of the Marvel Universe – well the X-Men alone have three ladies who could bend the planet to their will, all by themselves. Heck, even Lois Lane, without any powers at all, will jump right into the fray to get her story.

So if we assume that comics really are trying to tell the world what women are supposed to be like, can we really be mad that one of the major facets of these women is that they’re incredibly strong and self-sufficient? Isn’t that something we’ve all been fighting for the world - particularly men- to see about us for a long time? Which would mean that these “BAM! POW!” ladies could actually be helping our cause.

So what do you think?

Are all of these “super” girls just sad, over-sexed reflections of what men want to see? Are they holding us back? Or could characters like Batwoman be the heroes of the future – smart women who can take care of themselves and their cities, while still looking sexy?

7 Comments on "Duke It Out: Supergirls"

  1. Lydia says:
    Fri, 19th Jun 20094:30 am 

    I just read the article on wonder woman..sounds pretty badass…but that costume has got to go. I am surprised that they asked megan fox to be wonder woman for a potential movie. Wonder woman isn't drawn like her at all. Wonder woman is strong…Megan fox is the one who's lame.

  2. Marisa says:
    Fri, 19th Jun 20096:55 am 

    From the bottom of a female comic book geek's heart, thank you for writing this!

    I've always thought that comics are meant to be an extremely heightened reality, essentially embodying society's greatest fantasies and playing them out for readers. As a feminist, I don't always appreciate the portrayal of women in comics, but as a comic book fan, I understand the reason why female superheroes are portrayed in such a fashion.

    There's a bit of give-and-take here: we get strong, kick-ass heroines, but they must be appealing in some way to the audience – thus, the overly sexualized bodies. If you think about it, no one would read a traditional superhero comic book about a really ugly Superman or Batman; the women have to be appealing, too, although it often gets overdone.

    I have relatively mixed feelings about the way women are portrayed in comics in general – the whole damsel in distress thing included – but I think that's just part of the comic culture. Most guys I know who read comics think that heroines like Wonder Woman are really cool and badass. Unless they're just censoring their comments in my presence, they never really mention her appearance, just as I don't talk non-stop about Batman's physique. For the most part, I think that the way in which female superheroes are depicted goes along with the way male superheroes are depicted. But because men are the target audience for these comics, such portrayals are seen as catering to the base male fantasy.

  3. Lauren - University says:
    Fri, 19th Jun 20098:08 am 

    I get the issue, but think about the way Batman and Superman are super sexy and muscley. As long as these women are doing some kick-ass things, who cares what they look like? They are still strong, independent women and that is a great message to send to people.

  4. Samie says:
    Fri, 19th Jun 200911:03 am 

    I've always loved Comic books, and really never understood the whole "it's so anti-feminist' stuff. Yes, The women are over-sexualized, but the men are wearing (often skimpy) spandex too! It's equal, really. And if they seem to have 'too sexy' bodies, think about it. Really, do you expect someone that's running around fighting crime to not be fit? I mean, they'd more likely look like body-builders, but a lot of people think that female body builders look gross. Besides, they're super heroes, they're muscles are super-charged! lol

    On the topic of Wonder Woman, I've always loved her. Then again, I understand the Amazon's historical reference. I mean, they were so geared to fighting that they would often cut off their own tit to fire better arrows! Yea, the lasso of truth and the invisible jet are a bit lame, but she can also deflect bullets with her bracers! She was written to be a feminist icon at the time and really, she is. She fights for equality and peace. Yea she wears a skimpy bustier outfit, but don't tell me there aren't any feminists in high heels.

  5. Matthew says:
    Tue, 23rd Jun 20094:43 pm 

    I think Batwoman in particular is a real step forward in the idea of the "superhero." Not only being a strong, self-empowered, sexually aggressive and vulnerable homosexual but also the fact that she's Jewish. People fail to realize the lack of Jewish characters in mainstream comics and how the industry seems to still be afraid of creating a stereotype out of a character with that background. Some of the most significant female characters in comics history have shown real evolution and progression with the times, to some extent Mary Jane Watson becoming a pillar of strength for the usually morose and insecure Peter Parker, Catwoman killing the Black Mask, and even Renee Montoya, a holdover character in the Batman universe who has gone on to evolve into the newest incarnation of The Question. Comic gals kick ass and open up doors for molds to be broken.

  6. Broken says:
    Fri, 24th Jul 20091:56 am 

    I agree 100%. Most of my dream teams in comic books consist of at least a few epic super heroines such as The Phoenix, White Queen, She Hulk, Star Fire, Bat Girl, or Raven. A lot of girls in comics can outwit or outfight the guys given the right opportunity so I do not see much of an imbalance.

    Many “male characters” are equally unrealistic. I understand why some girls get hurt feelings over the “Barbie doll” issue. The heroines in comics offer up a lions share of impossible expectations. However us guys get that a lot too. No matter how much I trained I could never be as skilled as Bat man or Dare Devil and having a physique like super-man is out of reach for the average Joe. Movie stars often look great because they can afford trainers and plastic surgery. “Comic books” explain some of this with heightened traits such as “hyper metabolism”. Either way no one should use unrealistic icons to measure potential lovers and friends. “Comic books” and “movies” are fantasy fulfillment nothing more. It’s sad when people raise the bar too high. I love my sci fi and epic swords and sorcery stuff but I don’t expect females to look like my favorite fictional babes 100% or even %60. I’m pretty content with “cute yet flawed”.

    Comic books should be taken as symbolism as you suggest. And if super heroines are “metaphorical” of the fairer sex I see a lot more “empowerment” than I see “oppression”.

    If feminists want respectfully dressed more realistic looking heroines I’m game. But I expect “guy characters” to be sporting a bit more body fat, every day clothing, and facial hair to make up the difference. The door swings both ways.

    Yes women may get raped in comics. But guys get beaten to a bloody pulp and no one cries foul play when Bane breaks Bat man’s back or Superman gets pulverized by Doomsday. Given the choice between being bludgeoned within an inch of my life or being sexually assaulted I’d choose the later. Why? Both are psychologically demeaning (humiliation and defeat) but if I was raped yet otherwise left unscathed at least I wouldn’t be confined to a hospital bed. I could work out rigorously, take up some lethal judo classes, and put the cleats of my boots into the faces and gonads of my victimizers. Lastly I leave you all with a case and point. Watch Deliverance or Shawshank redemption. Rape doesn’t just happen to girls in fiction or in reality.

  7. Eva says:
    Tue, 1st Sep 20095:03 pm 

    I really agree with Samie and Broken here! :) I think that yes, if you were fighting crime you'd be pretty fit, but comics should be more realistic. Women who participate in vigorous activities often have smaller breast. Why? Because all breast are is body fat. And the more active you are the less fat you have.

    With guys, i don't think they should all be super muscular like there often portrayed. I mean sure, some would be that way, but other but guys would be leaner, with runner's bodies. Also if both sexes reply more on superpowers than brute strength they'll have more average builds.

    Also, regarding personality, the women don't have to be overly empowered. I mean sure, i figure they'd be independent, but they don't have to have ALL the supercharged characteristics, like being strong, self-empowered, and sexually aggressive. One or two at a time is enough and they CAN have flaws and be vulnerable. I want more realistic people. With some strenghts and some flaws, to have balance.

    That's why i like the Watchmen so much! If you wanna see a really realistic comic (concerning the way people are portrayed) check it out! It's one of the best when it comes to how they portray the human body and mind.

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